Cause of fatal Clinton fire unclear; police release name of victim

Officials say more than 100 people have returned home to the Clinton Chateau Apartments, after Monday’s deadly fire.

Posted: Dec. 12, 2017 9:00 AM

Updated: Dec. 12, 2017 6:22 PM

Posted By: Kiley Thomas

CLINTON, Ind. (WTHI) – Officials say more than 100 people have returned home to the Clinton Chateau Apartments, after Monday’s deadly fire.

The entire building was forced to evacuate. The Red Cross stepped in to help. They set up a temporary shelter for the residents. Red Cross tells News 10 they were able to shut down the shelter Monday around 2 p.m.

Fire officials say the cause of the fire is still unclear. They tell News 10 they are not ruling anything out.

The name of the man who died in the fire was released Tuesday afternoon after an autopsy. The victim has been identified as 44 year-old Michael A. Cloe. Officials have not released the official cause of death at this time.

Residents and first responders say they are still in shock with what happened.

“Everybody was pretty scared and nervous you know,” said Connie Adams who has lived at the apartment complex for 15 years. “They're old so they can't get around good so that scares them.”

“Without the Red Cross stepping in to help it would have been a major catastrophe for those people being out,” said Mayor Jack Gilfoy.